Residents invited to lift ‘Barbells for Boobs’ on Saturday in Crestview

Chloe Collinsworth and Mark Purcell invite residents to work out while raising funds for breast cancer detection during the "Barbells for Boobs" fundraiser on Saturday morning at the CrossFit Crestview.

MATTHEW BROWN / News Bulletin

By MATTHEW BROWN / News Bulletin

Published: Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 04:25 PM.

CRESTVIEW — If area residents want to get a workout while raising funds for breast cancer detection, then CrossFit Crestview is the place to be Saturday morning.

The Shoffner Boulevard facility will host its first Barbells for Boobs fundraiser from which all proceeds will fund breast cancer detection.

"(Barbells for Boobs) is a non-profit organization which provides mammograms," event organizer Chloe Collinsworth said. "The sooner you can detect (breast cancer), the better chance you have at preventing it."

Through the Mammograms in Action grant program, the organization funds mammograms for men and women who can’t afford them. A mammogram, an X-ray of the breast, typically costs $80, Collinsworth said.

Collinsworth, a CrossFit member whose grandmother, Gwen Green, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, is actively involved in raising awareness.

"She is the inspiration for what I do," Collinsworth said, adding her grandmother soon will receive chemotherapy treatments for the cancer, which has spread to her bones.

The Shoffner Boulevard facility will host its first Barbells for Boobs fundraiser from which all proceeds will fund breast cancer detection.

"(Barbells for Boobs) is a non-profit organization which provides mammograms," event organizer Chloe Collinsworth said. "The sooner you can detect (breast cancer), the better chance you have at preventing it."

Through the Mammograms in Action grant program, the organization funds mammograms for men and women who can’t afford them. A mammogram, an X-ray of the breast, typically costs $80, Collinsworth said.

Collinsworth, a CrossFit member whose grandmother, Gwen Green, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, is actively involved in raising awareness.

"She is the inspiration for what I do," Collinsworth said, adding her grandmother soon will receive chemotherapy treatments for the cancer, which has spread to her bones.

So far, instructor Mark Purcell, Collinsworth and 12 other CrossFit members and instructors have collected $855 for Barbells for Boobs through the organization’s website.

Instructors at Saturday’s event will work with participants to conduct a Cross Fit exercise called Helen meets Grace. The combined exercises will include a 400-meter run, 21 kettle bell swings, 12 pull-ups and 30 clean and jerk exercises.

"They will be getting a good workout," Purcell said, adding anyone can attend, regardless of physique. "It’s all for a good cause... every little bit helps."

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Barbells for Boobs fundraiser

WHEN: 8-10 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: CrossFit Crestview, 5315 Shoffner Blvd.

COST: Donations of any amount are accepted at http://bit.ly/16aPbzt

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article said the event was 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. We regret the error.